Report violations in the financial services sector

If you have information on violations in the financial services sector, you can contact the whistleblowing office of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) anonymously.

The whistleblowing office of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) receives reports on actual or potential violations of regulatory provisions.

If you have information regarding violations, you can contact the BaFin whistleblowing office confidentially or report them anonymously via the electronic whistleblower system. This is also known as "whistleblowing.".

This concerns violations in the areas supervised by BaFin. In addition to banks, financial services providers, payment institutions, and e-money institutions, BaFin also supervises private insurance undertakings and pension funds. Furthermore, it is responsible for the supervision of investment management companies and securities trading. BaFin ensures that the companies it supervises comply with the applicable regulations for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.

BaFin asks for your understanding that the response and notification of results can only contain information that is compatible with BaFin's obligations of professional secrecy or confidentiality. Furthermore, BaFin cannot assist you in enforcing any individual claims. The civil courts are responsible for this.

The civil courts will also decide on any claims between your employer and you for compensation for damages incurred as a result of the report to BaFin. Please contact a law firm of your choice or another body authorized to provide legal advice if you are seeking legal protection against discrimination.

You can report concrete information to the whistleblowing office of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) through the following communication channels:

• Electronic whistleblowing system  
• Post
• Online form
• by telephone 
• personally.

The BaFin Whistleblower Office will always handle your case confidentially. 

Electronic whistleblower system:

• Open the BaFin whistleblower system. 
• Click “Submit a Report“ or log in by clicking "Login" if you have already set up an electronic mailbox.
• Follow the steps in the displayed reporting form. If you wish to remain anonymous:
  • Do not provide any personal information, such as your name. Also, do not provide any information that could reveal your identity, such as your relationship to the parties involved.
  • Ensure the secure internet connection, represented by the padlock icon next to the address bar.
  • If possible, go directly to the server by setting a bookmark from the introduction page and using it.
  • If possible, do not use any technical devices—such as a computer, laptop, or cell phone—provided by your employer. An intranet connection, in particular, can jeopardize your anonymity.
• Submit the form online.
• BaFin is reviewing your report.

By mail:

• Describe the violations in an informal letter.
• Send the letter to the BaFin Whistleblower Office.
• BaFin is reviewing your report.

Via online form:

• Follow the steps in the online form. If you wish to remain anonymous:
  • Do not provide any personal information, such as your name. Also, do not provide any information that could reveal your identity, such as your relationship to the parties involved.
  • Ensure the secure internet connection, represented by the padlock icon next to the address bar.
  • If possible, go directly to the server by setting a bookmark from the introduction page and using it.
  • If possible, do not use any technical devices—such as a computer, laptop, or cell phone—provided by your employer. An intranet connection, in particular, can jeopardize your anonymity.
• Submit the form online.
• BaFin is reviewing your report.

By phone:

• Select the number of the BaFin whistleblowing office. 
• Please describe your issue.
• BaFin is reviewing your report.

Personal:

• Schedule an appointment by phone.
• Visit the BaFin whistleblower office in Bonn and report the violations in person.
• BaFin is reviewing your report.
   

There is no deadline.

There are no costs.

• lawsuit before the administrative court